Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that local authorities not having matching funds for capital water investment projects is causing delays in rolling out capital projects as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22337/10]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the capital water investment projects that are not to start in 2010 due to lack of funds at local authority level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22341/10]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received reports from local authorities regarding the financial ability to implement the water and waste water services programme 2010 to 2012; if he is satisfied that all projects included in that programme will be implemented by the end of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22534/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 21 and 201 together.

The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure over that period. The timing of the commencement of contracts within that period is a matter for the Water Services Authorities and I encourage authorities to expedite the progression of contracts. In accordance with the Government's Water Pricing Policy, the marginal capital cost of providing water services infrastructure to the non-domestic sector is funded by that sector. Pending the receipt of funds from the non-domestic sector in respect of such works, local authorities fund the works themselves through the proceeds of development levies or access to borrowing.

I recently approved borrowing proposals amounting to €141 million for 2010 to meet the needs of authorities in relation to water services schemes, either completed or currently in progress. Within the limits set in the context of the General Government Balance, the availability of access to borrowing on an annualised basis for schemes in progress effectively ensures that Water Services Authorities have access to borrowing for water services schemes when it is required. As such, access to borrowing should not be a delaying factor in the progression of water services infrastructure.